Delayed gear-up on A332
 

Hi all,

Had a flight recently where prior to takeoff the captain came on and stated that he was performing an unusual procedure - he was going to leave the gear down for a few minutes after takeoff due to 'heat management issues.'

I was somewhat surprised and am wondering what could have caused heat issues on the gear of the A332. I understand the A333 has cooling fans on the discs but the -200 doesn't. But still can't come up with a reason why the gear would be hot after takeoff.

The plane had been sitting at the gate for approximately 2 hours prior to takeoff so I don't believe it was due to excessive braking from its previous landing and the temperature was around 30C, not particularly hot.

Any suggestions? Cheers

Brake fans are an option on both A332 and A333, without them a high energy landing, short turnaround and taxi out in high ambient temperatures may cause the brake temperature to be at the limit for departure.

Did you ask the captain to explain? I did it once on B763, but it was a short turn around on a short runway & we had brake temp gauges. They were in limits, but the following sector was also short. A couple of minutes fresh air, I thought, would make the tyres smile and be thankful. It was briefed, discussed and actioned. A complete learning process.
In your case the only contributing factor could have been weight and a HOT day. Even then it should be a procedure with general guidance from AB & the company; or was this another personal quirk?

Given the conditions you describe I can only surmise that perhaps the crew had ridden the brakes too much during the taxi out, resulting in high brake temperatures. Leaving the gear down for a couple of minutes after take off would have them cooled and happy to be tucked away.

Too hot to retract but not too hot to take off?! Really....

Not what I said, perhaps the brakes were towards the upper limit, therefore take off permitted, but a short period of flight with the wheels down made the P1 on the day more comfortable.

I've flown with a few Captains (this is on a 320 without fans rather than a 330, but the idea is the same) who would leave the gear down for 15-20 additional seconds any time the temps were anywhere above 250. You'll be amazed how quickly those brakes cool down once airborne and in the slipstream.

I did have one episode coming out of DEN on a hot day where the temps were 280ish, we took off, sucked the gear up only to get the BRAKES HOT ECAM at around 11,000'. Had to slow back down, drop the gear, make a PA to the customers explaining what's up etc. Kinda embarrassing.